Coubertin published this prose poem with a French name and a German name, with good intentions. Firstly, based on the fair competition principle advocated by him, he used a pseudonym to make the judges judge fairly. Secondly, according to the explanation of Dr. Mezzo, a member of the International Olympic Committee and a Hungarian, Mr. Coubertin wanted to tell people that even countries with feuds like France and Germany can enhance mutual understanding and get along well with each other in the big family of the Olympic Movement. Coubertin's Ode to Sports leads us to look through beautiful Greece and feel the ancient Greek Olympic civilization that has been silent for thousands of years at the top of the mountain.

Ode to Sports

Ah, sports, the joy of the gods, the motive force of life! You suddenly landed in a gray glade, and the victims were very excited. You are like a radiant messenger, smiling at the elderly. You are like the morning light at the top of a mountain, illuminating the dim earth.

ah, sports, you are beautiful! Whether the human body you shape becomes noble or despicable depends on whether it is led to depravity by shameful desires; Or carefully cultivated by the power of health. Without symmetry, there is no beauty. Your role is unparalleled, which can make the two harmonious and unified; It can make the human body move rhythmically; Make the action beautiful, and the softness contains fortitude.

ah, sports, you are justice! You embody the fairness and rationality that cannot be pursued in social life. No one can exceed the speed by one minute and the height by one minute. The key to success can only be the integration of physical strength and spirit.

ah, sports, you are courage! The whole meaning of muscle exertion is to be brave in fighting. If not, what's the use of being agile and strong? What are the benefits of muscular development? What we mean by courage is not recklessness like an adventurer putting all his bets on it, but careful consideration.

ah, sports, you are honor! Honor should be won impartially, otherwise it is meaningless. Some people play dirty tricks to cheat their companions. But deep down, he was twisted by shame. If someone sees through you one day, you will lose your reputation.

ah, sports, you are fun! Thinking of you, my heart is full of joy, my blood circulation is intensified, my mind is more open and my organization is clearer. You can make the sad people relax, and you can make the life of the happy people sweeter.

Ah, sports, you are the fertile ground for cultivating human beings! Through the most direct way, you can strengthen the national physique, correct the deformed body, prevent diseases before they happen, and enlighten athletes; Let future generations grow strong, carry forward the past and win the laurel.

ah, sports, you are progress! For the rapid development of human beings, physical and mental changes should be made at the same time. You stipulate good living habits and ask people to be alert to excessive behavior. You tell people to obey the rules and give full play to human's best ability without damaging healthy body.

ah, sports, you are peace! You have established a happy connection between all ethnic groups. You are born in a controlled, organized and skilled physical contest, so that young people all over the world can learn to respect and learn from each other, and make the characteristics of different nationalities become the driving force of noble and fair competition!

Pierre De Coubertin (1863 ~ 1937) is a famous French educator, international sports activist, educator and historian, and the initiator of the modern Olympic movement. Born on January 1, 1863 in a very rich aristocratic family in Paris, France. From 1896 to 1925, he was the chairman of the International Olympic Committee and designed the Olympic emblem and flag. Because of his immortal contribution to the Olympic Games, he is internationally praised as "the father of the Olympic Games".